Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet Level 2 study materials
Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet Level 2 study resources

Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet Level 2 study plan

Computer Specialist in Spreadsheet Level 2 · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Formulas and Functions

  • Build a one-page reference of operator precedence (arithmetic, comparison, concatenation, reference operators) and verify each rule with a test formula

  • Write 15 formulas that mix relative, absolute ($A$1), and mixed (A$1, $A1) references, then predict the result before pressing Enter

  • Convert 10 values between percentages, decimals, and text using arithmetic and the TEXT function

  • Diagnose and fix 8 broken formulas covering #DIV/0!, #VALUE!, #REF!, and circular-reference errors

Your checkpoint

A personal formula reference sheet plus a 15-row practice workbook where every formula is documented with its expected result and any error cause

Week 2

Formulas and Functions

  • Apply SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and COUNT to 10 ranges and state which one fits each business question

  • Write 12 conditional formulas using IF, nested IF, AND, OR, and IFERROR

  • Use SUMIF, COUNTIF, AVERAGEIF, and their multi-criteria SUMIFS/COUNTIFS variants on a 50-row sales table

  • Look up values with VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and XLOOKUP, and explain the failure mode of each when data moves or is unsorted

Your checkpoint

A 50-row sales dataset with a summary block that answers 10 stated business questions using only functions, no manual totals

Week 3

Data Management, Sorting, and Filtering

  • Sort a 100-row table by two levels, then restore original order using a helper index column

  • Apply AutoFilter and custom filters (text contains, date between, number top 10) to isolate 5 defined record sets

  • Build 6 criteria ranges for Advanced Filter, including one with OR logic across columns and one with a computed criterion

  • Remove duplicates and use Subtotal with outline grouping to summarize a filtered list

Your checkpoint

A filtered-analysis workbook containing 5 saved filter scenarios and a subtotal summary that matches a manually verified count

Week 4

Data Entry and Cell Editing & Data Management, Sorting, and Filtering

  • Enter and edit data using AutoFill, Flash Fill, and custom series across 30 rows

  • Apply data validation (list, whole number, date, custom formula) to 4 columns and test each rule with valid and invalid input

  • Use Text to Columns to split a combined field, then rejoin it with CONCAT or TEXTJOIN

  • Clean a messy 40-row import by trimming spaces, fixing case, and converting text-stored numbers

Your checkpoint

A cleaned 40-row dataset with working validation rules, plus a short log listing each cleaning step and the function used

Week 5

Formatting and Page Setup

  • Apply number formats (currency, accounting, percentage, custom) to a sample sheet and predict display versus stored value

  • Configure conditional formatting with 4 rule types, including a formula-based rule

  • Build a print-ready sheet with margins, orientation, print area, print titles, headers/footers, and page breaks

  • Apply cell styles, borders, and merged-cell alternatives to produce a readable report layout

Your checkpoint

A print-ready two-page report with conditional formatting, repeating header rows, and a custom footer with page numbers, exported to PDF

Week 6

Data Analysis and PivotTables

  • Create a PivotTable from a 200-row dataset and summarize values by two row fields and one column field

  • Add a calculated field and a % of total value display to the PivotTable

  • Group date data by month and quarter, then insert a slicer and a timeline

  • Build a PivotChart and refresh both after adding 10 new source rows

Your checkpoint

A PivotTable dashboard with one slicer, one timeline, a calculated field, and a PivotChart that refreshes correctly after source data changes

Week 7

Charts and Graphics & Spreadsheet Fundamentals and Interface

  • Create column, line, pie, and bar charts from the same data and justify which chart type fits each question

  • Add axis titles, data labels, a secondary axis, and a trendline to a combo chart

  • Insert and format a shape, text box, and image, and set their positioning relative to cells

  • Customize the ribbon Quick Access Toolbar and demonstrate 5 keyboard shortcuts for navigation and selection

Your checkpoint

A one-page chart gallery with 4 correctly labeled charts and a written justification for each chart-type choice

Week 8

Workbook and Worksheet Management & Printing, Sharing, and Collaboration

  • Insert, rename, move, group, and hide worksheets, and protect a sheet while leaving input cells unlocked

  • Consolidate data from 3 worksheets and create linked formulas across sheets

  • Set workbook properties, check compatibility, and export to PDF and CSV

  • Run a timed 40-question mixed practice set and review every missed item to its source domain

Your checkpoint

A 3-sheet linked workbook with protection and sharing settings applied, plus a scored practice log listing missed topics by domain

Milestones

Week 2: Score at least 80% on a self-made 20-question formula quiz covering references, conditionals, and lookups without notes

Week 4: Sort, filter, and clean a 100-row dataset end to end in under 25 minutes with correct results

Week 6: Build a working PivotTable with a slicer and calculated field from raw data in under 15 minutes

Week 8: Score at least 85% on the timed 40-question mixed practice set, with no domain below 70%